As you know, time management is not only an HR issue exclusively reserved for human resources managers, it is also a daily issue for all employees of a company.

This is why, with the start of the new school year fast approaching, we thought it would be interesting to share with you an organisational method that everyone is hearing more and more about: time blocking.

This is a technique that consists of dividing your agenda into blocks of time, thus allowing for a real gain in efficiency and performance on a daily basis.

How does this method work? How do you apply it? What are its advantages? We tell you everything you need to know in this new article! 

Time blocking method

What are we talking about?

Answering an email immediately, completing a task while on the phone, attending a meeting at any time of the day or juggling files, for many employees, the organisation of work is sometimes chaotic and, unfortunately, not always structured.

The fault lies in the numerous distractions that cause a significant loss of concentration during the day. The result? An often imperfect efficiency for the work done. There is therefore a method that is supposed to reverse this trend and thus better manage time at work: time blocking.

Time blocking method

A simple but effective principle: manage your time in "blocks"

It works in a simple way, you have to:

1. create a list of assignments and projects to be completed,

2. assign specific blocks of time to each of these tasks,

3. Obtain a structure for your day (or even your week).

The idea is very similar to the organisation of a schoolboy's timetable, in which it is indicated, for example, that he will work on his maths from 9 to 10, then his languages from 10 to 11, etc.

With time blocking, it's exactly the same thing.  The idea is that an employee works without interruption on a specific task during a specific time. The idea is that an employee works without interruption on a specific task during a defined period of time, so as not to be distracted from his or her objective.

Time blocking method

How to apply it

Setting up a time blocking organisation requires you to :

  • Think about your priorities in terms of the objectives you have set yourself
  • Note the time required to achieve them and the most suitable time slot to devote to them. It is important to know that everyone will have their own preferences on this point. Some will be more productive in the morning, others at the end of the day, etc. A key question to answer is: at what time of day is your concentration level at its peak?
  • In addition to these first established blocks, there are other so-called "secondary" blocks. These are times when you can take the time to answer e-mails, do administrative tasks, have a meeting, etc. Anything that you deem "non-priority".
  • Add to this regular breaks and other time slots to try to anticipate the unexpected.
  • If you wish, do a daily review to adjust the method completely in order to adjust and modify your schedule according to unforeseen events / new tasks to be taken into account.
Time blocking method

What are the advantages of this time blocking method?

By applying this time blocking technique, an employee will be able to avoid multiplying actions/projects to give himself the means to concentrate efficiently on specific tasks. And thus obtain:

An increase in productivity,

A better control of time,

A simplified daily life,

A reduction in procrastination,

A real gain in efficiency,

Optimised concentration.

time blocking method

Time is precious, let's not waste it!

In other words, this method is a way of talking about planning and organising one's working time, albeit a "roundabout" one and more in keeping with the times.

But if this approach can help those who have difficulties with this subject, it is already an excellent thing.

And if it makes people more aware that time is precious, that is even better. And for good reason, this is a theme that is very close to our hearts at Protime!

Are you interested in everything to do with time management?
Then you should talk to one of our team members!
Florent Bovicelli
Written by: Florent Bovicelli
Content marketeer